Joel Santo DomingoAsus VivoStick PC (TS10)The Asus VivoStick is a full 64-bit Windows 10 computer that's a lot smaller than a hip flask, or even a cigar tube. It's short on memory and storage, but can instantly turn a display or TV into an all-in-one PC for $129.

The Asus VivoStick is a full 64-bit Windows 10 computer that's a lot smaller than a hip flask, or even a cigar tube. It's short on memory and storage, but can instantly turn a display or TV into an all-in-one PC for $129.

So-called stick PCs like the Asus VivoStick PC (TS10) ($129) turn any TV or HDMI-equipped display into an all-in-one desktop PC. That's a natural fit if you need to run Windows-only programs or plug-ins (like a VPN service to your corporate office) on a really big screen, or if you'd rather use a PC to stream your movies and music. It's also one of the easiest ways to carry a PC along with you in your pocket, since it's much smaller than even your smartphone. The VivoStick is one of the latest compact PCs to dovetail off of the Intel Compute Stick project, and barring a flaw or two, one of the better ones, to boot (pun intended).

Design and FeaturesLike most stick PCs, the VivoStick PC is compact and pocket-size. It measures a scant 0.65 by 1.42 by 5.31 inches (HWD), and weighs just 2.72 ounces. It looks like a fat USB memory stick, albeit with a wider HDMI plug on the end. It comes with a cap to cover the HDMI connector when it's in your pocket or bag. If you regularly travel, it's a good way to keep yourself entertained (and in touch) on the road. Just plug the VivoStick into your hotel room's TV and you'll be on the Internet in no time. You can use a third-party compact wireless keyboard/touchpad combo, or the free Asus VivoRemote app on your smartphone to control the system.

Connectivity isn't bad for a stick PC. The system has a micro USB port for power (a cable and AC adapter are included), along with a headset jack, a USB 2.0 port, and a USB 3.0 port. The headset jack is nice in case your HDMI display lacks internal speakers or if you'd like to hook up the VivoStick to an external stereo or headphones. The USB 3.0 port doubles connectivity compared with the original 2015 version of the Compute Stick as well as systems based on that model, like the Azulle Quantum Access LAN Windows 10 Fanless Mini PC Stick and the Lenovo Ideacentre Stick 300. The extra USB port lets you connect a mouse and keyboard simultaneously, for setup purposes and in case you don't want to hook up a wireless option using the VivoStick's Bluetooth 4.1 capability. Wireless connections to the Internet are handled by 802.11ac Wi-Fi.

The one caveat is the lack of a microSD card slot, which could expand system's miserly 32GB of eMMC flash storage. When testing the VivoStick, I noticed that there was only 15GB of space free, which is barely enough for a few installed programs and maybe one movie download. Both versions of the Compute Stick and the Lenovo Ideacentre Stick 300 have microSD card slots that let you add up to 128GB more local storage.

Instead of using a traditional keyboard and mouse, you have the option of using the Asus VivoRemote app, available for both Android and iOS devices. It has two modes: One turns your phone's touch screen into a touchpad, complete with left and right mouse buttons. The other mimics a controller for multimedia apps, including a four-way cursor controller. Typing letters and numbers is a little odd, since there's no keyboard mode. Instead, there's a text entry box on the touchpad screen, which you can select, type your text, and then hit the Send button to transmit the text to your VivoStick. It's kind of like entering your commands one line at a time in a work of interactive fiction like Zork, but kludgier since you will need to move the text insertion point (cursor) on the PC screen manually with the mouse. It works fine for entering text in a browser address bar, but it's inconvenient if you need to type more than a line of text into a word processing program. By default, the system launches VivoRemote Center (alongside Windows 10), which looks a lot like the interface on older media PCs or set-top boxes like the Roku.

Also included is the HyStream app, which lets you stream videos and music from your mobile phone or tablet to the VivoStick and display them on your HDTV. Truth be told, if you're simply browsing the Web and streaming videos, the cheaper Asus Chromebit does the job just as well, if not better. Note, though, that the Chrome OS–based Chromebit won't run Windows programs.

The system has only 2GB of memory, which is enough to run a browser and a messaging client simultaneously, though it's not really sufficient for multitasking with a photo-editing program on top of that. We experienced some slowdown with more than six browser tabs open and two of them streaming video and music. Keep that in mind if you're considering the VivoStick, because slightly larger small-form-factor systems like the budget Editors' Choice Shuttle XPC Nano have more power, and upgradable memory and storage. The system also comes with a mounting bracket so you can stick it behind your HDTV and keep it out of the way. The VivoStick comes with a one-year warranty.

Performance and ConclusionsThe VivoStick is powered by an Intel Atom x5-Z8350 processor with Intel HD Graphics, so you can expect competent day-to-day performance. This is indicated by its (slightly) above-average score on the PCMark 8 Work Conventional test (1,363). Its result on the HandBrake test (7:22) was also above average, but its CineBench score (99) and Photoshop time (19:27) show that you're going to sitting around a long time waiting for it to finish tasks more strenuous than basic media playback. It's notable that the system was actually able to complete the CineBench and Photoshop tests at all, thanks to its 64-bit version of Windows 10, since the other stick PCs use the less-capable 32-bit version. Its 3D performance was nothing to write home about, with single-digit frame rates on our game tests, so we wouldn't even think of playing 3D games like Minecraft or Diablo III on this setup. Simpler 2D games like Angry Birds are a better bet.

Stick PCs are the most portable you'll find; there's no easier (or safer) place to carry one than in your pocket. And plugging a stick into a TV to turn it into a large all-in-one PC is a neat concept. But if this means the Asus VivoStick PC (TS10) is useful to have around, it ultimately makes more sense as a travel companion than as a full-time PC because of its limited computing power. That said, the Shuttle XPC Nano can also hide behind a TV, but is much more powerful and expandable. We can't give the VivoStick our Editors' Choice because of its lack of microSD expansion room, but if you want to explore the nascent experiment known as stick PCs, the Asus VivoStick isn't a bad place to start.

Asus VivoStick PC (TS10)

Bottom Line: The Asus VivoStick is a full 64-bit Windows 10 computer that's a lot smaller than a hip flask, or even a cigar tube. It's short on memory and storage, but can instantly turn a display or TV into an all-in-one PC for $129.

About the Author

Joel Santo Domingo joined PC Magazine in 2000, after 7 years of IT work for companies large and small. His background includes managing mobile, desktop and network infrastructure on both the Macintosh and Windows platforms. Joel is proof that you can escape the retail grind: he wore a yellow polo shirt early in his tech career. Along the way Joel e... See Full Bio

Asus VivoStick PC (TS10)

Asus VivoStick PC (TS10)

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